Cleaning rolling stock wheels.

AGR-Shed-Enderby · October 21, 2016, 08:04:00 AM

Thinking about cleaning wheels - has anyone risked putting the whole truck in a dishwasher (not with drying switched on)?
Lego bricks are OK in a dishwasher, and this is the recognised best method for them as the chemicals destroy grease and oils. The plastic is the same sort I suspect.
Cleaning rolling stock wheels is often overlooked due to the time of can take.... Just asking.!

Rabs · October 21, 2016, 09:11:57 AM

I'd be worried about axles, screws, springs etc rusting and transfers coming off. I've no evidence to say it wouldn't work but it'll take someone braver than me to try it!

Bob Tidbury · October 21, 2016, 09:19:43 AM

The only dishwasher we have is ME .
I don't think that it's a good idea because,
I think the water would be too hot and would distort the plastic.
Probably the transfers or printing would be erased .
The axles and any other metal Orkney could go rusty .
All in al not a good idea,IMHO.
Bob

daffy · October 21, 2016, 10:08:04 AM

This might be a good way to persuade you to buy a new set of wagons IMO.

Probably do as much damage as taking a Karcher to them. Even on a low setting dishwashers are pretty aggressive heatwise and the mix of materials involved would be your main problem, as will decals, water trapped in inaccessible places, and who knows what else.

And the look of sadness on your face when you first open the dishwasher door is something I wouldn't want to picture thanks.

AGR-Shed-Enderby · October 21, 2016, 10:08:36 AM

Very much as I feared - I had forgotten about the transfers. I too am not brave enough but I might buy a junk piece from a market somewhere and try it sometime.

geoffc · October 21, 2016, 10:40:59 AM

Has anybody tried an ultrasonic cleaner. You could either remove the axles or bogies and put them in. I have toyed with the idea for cleaning the bogies on my diesels as you are supposed to be able to clean watches with them.

Geoff

austinbob · October 21, 2016, 10:47:33 AM

If you can remove the wheels then perhaps a simple solution is just to clean the wheels with IPA and a lint free cloth.

Newportnobby · October 21, 2016, 11:36:22 AM

Strange to think this is over 5 years old but it's still an easy way to clean both loco and rolling stock wheels........................

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=913.msg7981#msg7981

kiwi1941 · October 21, 2016, 11:40:28 AM

Quote from: geoffc on October 21, 2016, 10:40:59 AMHas anybody tried an ultrasonic cleaner.

Yes, works a treat, especially if you have a lot to do. You can buy small, cheap ones designed to clean dentures but a larger one with more 'oomph' [excuse the technical term] is probably more efficient though you may still wish to give the wheel treads a final scrub with an old toothbrush. HTH, Brian

daffy · October 21, 2016, 11:49:48 AM

Quote from: kiwi1941 on October 21, 2016, 11:40:28 AM
You can buy small, cheap ones designed to clean dentures.......

Ah!

So that's where I left them!

Waz · October 21, 2016, 11:53:59 AM

ultrasonic cleaners do work, however i personally use a LUX wheel cleaner its designed to be built into the baseboard and you just run whole trains thought it, and it cleans all the wheels, powered and non powered ones. Yes its expensive but so are models in general so its worth spending a bit to look after them. This way it reduces handling damage as you don't have to pick them up to clean. On a club layout we have one built in tot the exit of the fiddle yard so every train to leave the fiddle yard gets its wheels cleaned.

dodger · October 21, 2016, 01:10:07 PM

Quote from: newportnobby on October 21, 2016, 11:36:22 AM
Strange to think this is over 5 years old but it's still an easy way to clean both loco and rolling stock wheels........................

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=913.msg7981#msg7981

Couldn't agree more, the simplest and easiest method.

Dodger

DesertHound · October 25, 2016, 12:02:54 PM

I use this method for non-powered wheels / wagons. Amazing what comes off!

http://thefarishshed.com/how-to-clean-wheels-the-quick-way/

daffy · October 25, 2016, 01:00:35 PM

Quote from: DesertHound on October 25, 2016, 12:02:54 PM
I use this method for non-powered wheels / wagons. Amazing what comes off!

http://thefarishshed.com/how-to-clean-wheels-the-quick-way/

Thanks for this

- but remember to use good quality masking tape. Some of the cheap stuff sheds its glue all too easily IMO and you could end up with the stuff all over your wheels.

DesertHound · October 25, 2016, 02:16:10 PM

Quote from: daffy on October 25, 2016, 01:00:35 PM
Quote from: DesertHound on October 25, 2016, 12:02:54 PM
I use this method for non-powered wheels / wagons. Amazing what comes off!

http://thefarishshed.com/how-to-clean-wheels-the-quick-way/

Thanks for this

- but remember to use good quality masking tape. Some of the cheap stuff sheds its glue all too easily IMO and you could end up with the stuff all over your wheels.

Interesting point daffy.